Laughter is the best medicine to cure flu

HAVING a laugh or sharing a joke is the best way of getting rid of flu or a cold.

Laughter can feel energising after suffering from a cold [GETTY/MODEL USED]

Three out of four people claimed a chuckle can make them feel “energised”, while 29 per cent said a hug from a loved one was beneficial and 14 per cent insisted listening to music soothed away the symptoms.

Women are more adept at harnessing the power of laughter with 83 per cent agreeing it cheers them up compared to 70 per cent of men, according to a poll for the makers of cold cure products Day & Night Nurse. Neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis, who carried out a separate survey, said: “Laughter can be a tool used to help people feel better.

“We took people suffering from colds and, after 30 minutes of watching comedy clips, more than 70 per cent said their symptoms were not as bothersome and they felt more energised.”

The research suggests Londoners are most frequently hit by the sniffles – while those in the South-west and East Midlands suffer the least.